For many years it was thought that the first necklace dated back to 30,000 B.C. However, recent excavations in South Africa discovered what seems to be a necklace made of molluscs that harks back to nearly 75,000 years ago.

In the Bronze Age humans learnt how to melt and cast metal, and the first bronze, copper and silver necklaces were manufactured. The first gold necklace was discovered at the Royal Grave of the Sumerian city-state of Ur, dating back to 2,500 B.C. The ancient Egyptians were also very fond of necklaces, and they added them gemstones and more sophisticated patterns. They loved them so much that rich people was often buried with its choker necklace around their neck. In the ancient Rome these accessories became a symbol of wealth and power.

For many centuries, though, the usage of necklaces waned. But in the late 14th Century, due to new trends, these necklaces for women became a fashionable embellishment again. Nowadays necklaces are still voguish jewellery accessories for both men and women.